What went right: The Chargers seemed on the verge of falling behind the Bengals, 14-7, in the Wild Card game until Butler closed fast on running back Giovani Bernard and caused a fumble at San Diego’s 2. Chargers coach Mike McCoy singled out Butler’s strip as a gigantic play in the victory, San Diego’s first in the playoffs in five years. The following Sunday against the Broncos in the Divisional Playoffs, Butler intercepted a Peyton Manning pass in the end zone to keep Denver from adding to its 14-0 lead. In the same game, Jahleel Addae and he crunched Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas to force a turnover.

Despite missing five games with a recurring groin injury, Butler led the team’s 11 linebackers in snaps. His savvy and speed encouraged John Pagano to diversify the blitzes later in the season. Explaining his own improvement, rookie linebacker Manti Te'o cited Butler, who lined up next to him and called plays.

What went wrong: The first touchdown the Chargers allowed in the season-opening loss to the Texans seemed to owe to Butler missing an assignment. Not only did the groin injury suffered in Game 2 cost him five games, the inactivity it caused may have dulled his performances after his two returns. Twice, he dropped a pass that could have gone for a pick-6. In the Game 10 loss to the Dolphins, he missed three tackles. The Bengals, in their 17-10 victory on Dec. 1, ran at him with success, notably a 19-yard gain by Bernard that led to a touchdown.

The final game saw a miscommunication between Butler and linebacker Bront Bird leave Julius Thomas uncovered, giving the Broncos an easy 21-yard reception on third-and-17. A stop would have forced a punt, with the Chargers trailing 24-17 and about 2:50 to play. Butler, the Chargers said, was diagnosed with a concussion after the game.

Mentor to Te'o: The day Tom Telesco drafted Te'o at the cost of second- and a fourth-round picks, the general manager enthused over pairing him with Butler in Pagano's 3-4 defense. It wasn't until mid-season that the two were recovered from injuries and in game shape. By then, Te'o said having Butler next to him "relieves a lot of stress off me."

Contract situation: With Butler entering the final year of his rookie deal, the Chargers and his agent discussed an extension in the summer, only to table negotiations until after the 2013 season. Telesco said talks are to resume after the Super Bowl. Butler said in August he is "not too worried" about the negotiations. When Butler sat, Reggie Walker and Andrew Gachkar filled in. Walker can be an unrestricted free agent in March.

Looking ahead: Butler's return would give the Chargers a speedy playmaker and continuity for Te'o, who fell short of the "All-22" rankings here. No doubt the Chargers will weigh Butler's durability into the equation. The linebacker, drafted 79th overall by A.J. Smith, sat out his rookie season with a torn Achilles. In all, he has missed 23 of 66 games.